No Breeders' Cup Win and You're In status for Smile Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The tradition-rich Grade 3 Smile Sprint has lost its Win and You’re In status for the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Breeders’ Cup senior vice president of racing and nominations Dora Delgado confirmed Monday.

This comes despite 2017 winner Imperial Hint finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Delgado explained that no Grade 3 races except those for 2-year-olds will be considered for Win and You’re In status beginning this year. The six-furlong Smile was downgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 3 in 2017.

The Smile, named after the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, originated at Calder Race Course as part of the Summit of Speed program in 1999 before moving locally in 2015. Its roster of winners includes 2003 and 2010 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winners Orientate and Big Drama, along with 2008 Sprint Champion Benny the Bull.

The Smile will be decided June 29 along with the Grade 2 Princess Rooney, which remains part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series for the Filly and Mare Sprint.